Chapter 583: Rasa's Troubles

Everything Fujin had said until that point, though true, was completely bullshit. The real reason why Fujin used this technique was to get a better hang of Takeshi's Scorch Release! Apart from being able to study his soul, this was the main reason why Fujin wanted this jutsu and willingly traded top-quality human puppets with Hiruzen to get it!

Of course, Fujin wasn't completely sure of its effectiveness. After all, if learning Kekkei Genkai was that easy, then Dan would have unlocked several Kekkei Genkai and would have likely been far stronger than the Sannins. However, that wasn't the case. On the contrary, he hadn't mastered any Kekkei Genkai. Nor had Orochimaru, who could use a more advanced jutsu.

'What should I do now?' Since Fujin didn't reply, Takeshi became doubtful. Fujin's soul answered, "It looks like I underestimated the difficulty of influencing your chakra and molding it properly. I will need to observe your chakra network for far longer. Continue using Extremely Steaming Murder jutsu."

'Alright.' Takeshi replied and continued creating more flaming orbs. Fujin just carefully observed. While he had seen the process and got some clues by observing the first time, he was still quite far away from understanding how to fuse it properly. As he had expected, even though experiencing it in this manner was extremely helpful, he couldn't learn it in an instant.

Fujin thought, 'Oh well. Even though it isn't instantaneous, I have a feeling that I'll master Scorch Kekkei Genkai sooner or later. After all, I can always refer to him if I ever face any issues or have doubts.'

After using the jutsu 5 times, Takeshi's breathing became heavy. He said, 'My chakra is running low. I can't use this jutsu again.'

Fujin's soul replied, "Don't worry. Continue doing it."

Fujin's soul placed his palm on Takeshi's soul and transferred some of his chakra to him. In the blink of an eye, Takeshi's chakra reserves became full once again!

Takeshi's eyes widened. He asked, 'Spirit Transformation jutsu can do this as well?'

Fujin's soul chuckled and said, "Yup. Don't tell others though. Depending too much on others at this age isn't a good thing."

Takeshi nodded. Fujin thought, 'Well, it's not like I'd ever transfer chakra even if someone asks. A shame that this jutsu doesn't allow me to absorb chakra. If I could, I'd have definitely made some chakra batteries. I could even issue missions for that purpose. Perhaps the lazy ninjas would have accepted for making some easy money...'

Takeshi ran out of chakra once again and was again refilled by Fujin. Fujin's soul thought, 'That said, I'm not at my full chakra level either. 70% of my chakra is with my clones. Fortunately, his chakra reserves are much lower than mine. I can refill it a few times. Then, I'll give him the reward. I'll only give him one jutsu at a time. That way, I will have reasons to keep doing this.'

Fujin refilled his chakra reserves four times when he felt that he wouldn't learn anything more from just observing him. He immediately had another idea. He said, "Alright, I have got a hang of it now. Relax, I'll take over your body. Don't resist."

Takeshi replied, 'Alright.'

He mentally prepared himself. A second later, Fujin took full control of Takeshi's body and said, "Feel how the chakra moves in your body. This will be an important jutsu for you."

He began weaving hand signs and softly said, "Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet jutsu"

He took a deep breath and shot a Fire Dragon from his mouth. The Dragon, instead of moving forward, began revolving around Takeshi. Fujin's soul instructed, "While Fire Dragon Flame Bullet is generally an attacking jutsu, for you, it'll be an amazing defensive jutsu."

Takeshi thought for a bit and asked, 'How?'

Fujin's soul answered, "It's simple. After learning the Fire Dragon jutsu, you have to create a Scorch Dragon jutsu by using Fire Dragon as a base. And, you need to have amazing control over it. Once you succeed in creating it, improve your control over it and manipulate it in such a way that it can coil around you. When you succeed, very few ninjas will be able to fight you at close range. Most would be long dead before they make it through the Dragon."

Takeshi's eyes sparkled as he imagined how strong the defense would be. While it won't protect him against long and medium-range jutsus, it would be extremely effective against the ones who didn't have such options. As for the ones that stay at a distance, he could just run into them.

Fujin's soul exited his body and said, "Now that I have shown you how to do it, try to replicate the process and master the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet jutsu. You can approach me if you face any issues. I have refilled your chakra reserves again. So, you can practice it right away.

When you master it and begin attempting to create the Scorch Dragon jutsu, find me. I'll guide you to ensure that you don't make any mistakes or do something hazardous for yourself or others."

Takeshi immediately replied, "I will. Thank you sensei."

Takeshi was indeed very grateful. He never imagined that someone would go to such lengths to help him become stronger. Needless to say, Fujin's 'kind' act had created quite an impression on his young mind.

Fujin's soul nodded and said, "I'll be waiting."

He immediately disappeared and flew into his own body. Takeshi turned his gaze towards him. Fujin smiled before he and his clones disappeared. The seals in the training ground that blocked Hiruzen's crystal ball were deactivated as well.

Takeshi continued practicing while Fujin returned to his house. En route, he tried to replicate how the fusion happened inside Takeshi's body. He tried a few times but ultimately didn't succeed.

Fujin analyzed, 'It looks like it won't be that easy. That said, it was very helpful. I can feel that I have progressed quite a bit within a few minutes. If I were to try it by myself, I'd have needed several months or even years to reach this step.

I'll experiment with it again later. The next time, I will try to use Scorch Release while I am in control of his body. Experiencing how to do it through him will be much better than just observing.

Regardless, if I learn it, what should I do? Should I use it with Fujin identity? Though Scorch Release won't make me much stronger normally, it might give a huge boost to my Wind Domain. On the other hand, it might help me raise Shiden identity's combat power to rank S.'

He thought for a bit before deciding, 'Oh well, no need to think too much. I'll just use it with the identity that is forced to use it first. After all, Shiden is supposed to stay hidden and not fight.'

While Fujin was working on growing both his strength and influence, a particular individual was very annoyed due to Fujin's actions despite being over a thousand kilometers away from him. In truth, he wasn't aware that Fujin was the one behind the incident that troubled him.

In Sunagakure, Baki was in Rasa's office. Only the two of them were present in the office. Rasa asked, "Is there any update?"

Baki shook his head and answered, "No. We have exhausted all means of trying to find them or create contact with them. Unfortunately, nothing has succeeded. Our spies in Tanigakure got hands on a lot of their secret information as well. However, there is no mention of them. It's as if they have vanished entirely."

Baki paused for a few seconds before continuing, "It has been nearly three months since Yamakawa town was attacked. Since that day, we have completely lost contact with the ninjas stationed there. We can only assume that they were killed along with the Yamakawa family. The killers probably took their bodies with them."

A frown appeared on Rasa's face. He cursed, "Those ninjas included an Elite Jounin and a Fuinjutsu Grandmaster! Unless we recover their bodies, we can't assume their deaths. It's too costly for the village to face such losses just before our plan is put into action.

Not to mention, reports claimed that the town was attacked by puppets. It has worsened our relationship with Tanigakure. Since I didn't send anyone, it can only mean that it was someone else.

I had my spies collect information in the other hidden village to see if someone suddenly began training a large number of Puppeteers. However, no village has done so. It could only mean that it was Sasori!"

Rasa's words were full of hatred. Yamakawa was the perfect town to station his ninjas in. However, that town was completely ruined due to Sasori's actions. Not only were his losses grave, but the town had also become a hub for Konoha ninjas, increasing the difficulty in moving secretly for Suna.